If you're planning to use a panel line wash (something like Tamiya panel line accent color for example) than putting a gloss clear coat over the paint is a good idea for two reasons:

The washes flow better over a gloss surface.

Such washes are mostly enamel based (acrylic ones do exist, but aren't as common), and some enamel thinners can dissolve acrylic paint. An extra coat of paint theoretically gives you some extra protection. I've never had that happen to me though, so I can't say how big of a deal it is in practice.

An additional important note is that for an enamel wash, the clear coat needs to be acrylic (or lacquer, I think). With washes, you always need to do some clean-up using enamel thinner, and doing that over an enamel clear coat would also likely wipe the clear coat away.

I don't personally know how this applies to panel lining with a marker. I would imagine clean-up would be easier on a glossy surface so a gloss coat might help. I don't know how much it matters though.

If you're planning to use a panel line wash (something like Tamiya panel line accent color for example) than putting a gloss clear coat over the paint is a good idea for two reasons:

The washes flow better over a gloss surface.

Such washes are mostly enamel based (acrylic ones do exist, but aren't as common), and some enamel thinners can dissolve acrylic paint. An extra coat of paint theoretically gives you some extra protection. I've never had that happen to me though, so I can't say how big of a deal it is in practice.

An additional important note is that for an enamel wash, the clear coat needs to be acrylic (or lacquer, I think). With washes, you always need to do some clean-up using enamel thinner, and doing that over an enamel clear coat would also likely wipe the clear coat away.

I don't personally know how this applies to panel lining with a marker. I would imagine clean-up would be easier on a glossy surface so a gloss coat might help. I don't know how much it matters though.

I use fine tip Gundam markers to panel line, and getting a nice smooth line is always more difficult over painted areas than on bare plastic. Keep your coats nice and thin. I don't know if a gloss coat is strictly necessary, but it won't hurt.

I've only been doing detail painting, so take my advice with whatever grain of salt that comes with.

I find it easiest to just make your own wash with water-based acrylics instead if you are doing it on bare plastic. If you are painting your kit with acrylics, then you'll need to topcoat it with a non-acrylic topcoat so that way your cleanup wont tear off the coat (as someone already mentioned)

My second ever Gunpla kit came today, and even though I haven't watches Build Divers, I really like the design of the HG LEO NPD mobile suit.

Was pretty straight forward to build, but actually feels pretty flimsy and light. Right foot keeps disconnecting and the entire upper half feels barely connected to the lower half. Its fairly smaller and a bit of a disappointment compared to the Zaku II I built.

Aside that fact, I really enjoy its poseablity and its customization options (which is something I really wanna get into) and I might consider getting the Gundam Wing Leo HG if its a little more robust for my liking. In mean times, I'm still waiting on my HG Char Zaku arriving for my next build, and eyeing up some IBO kits.

IBO kits, specially those with an inner frame, like say the Graze, have great engineering for an HG.
I can also recommend The Origin kits if you like Zakus even if they are more pricey than the older HGs.
I you ever want to go out of your comfort zone I can vouch for most Reconguista kits, they have very unique designs and the engineering is solid. However, the most Zaku-like thing in the line, the Space Jahannam, isn't particularly good.

IBO kits, specially those with an inner frame, like say the Graze, have great engineering for an HG.
I can also recommend The Origin kits if you like Zakus even if they are more pricey than the older HGs.
I you ever want to go out of your comfort zone I can vouch for most Reconguista kits, they have very unique designs and the engineering is solid. However, the most Zaku-like thing in the line, the Space Jahannam, isn't particularly good.

Cheers for the advice! Was already looking at the Graze so that might be my purchase. Just looked at the origin zaku and it looks amazing (and worth the cash!) and ill check out the Reconguista. Been playing a ton of Gundam Breaker 3 to get a sense for what kits are out there, so wanting to start small, doing grunt units (like the jesta, graze etc) before ever touching anything mad like.

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HGBF RGM-237C Powered GM Cardigan
I wish they made Fumina keep piloting regular MS. Having her relegated to SD was a waste. Even if it has a bunch of add-ons, as most of Build Fighters kits are wont to do, it still retains the utilitarian look that we love in GMs.
Apart from the usual panel lines, the only thing I painted was the grey in the middle of the backpack.

Still working on getting the "official" photos ready for each kit. Man, the Origin line is just nice. Strongly considering picking up one of the GM Cannon Space Assault Types...why that one is p-bandai and the interceptor was a normal release baffles me.

You remind me I need to grab a good cutting mat when I go to the state capital next week. My current table has thick wood grain and several grooves and is on carpet. Will make my life a whole lot easier. Any suggestions?

I use one by X-Acto, but any self-healing cutting mat should do. Just check Amazon for reviews, or check local craft/hobby stores. Buy whatever size fits your workspace best, but you probably want 12x18 at least, I’d think.

Xacto sounds good to me. I’ll measure it to make sure but my table(which is also my diner table) is 4’ x 4’ unfolded I believe. And thanks for telling me self healing cutting mat that’s what I was wondering

Poor Zaku II Kai. There's literally dozens of MG Zakus of the most obscure MSV shit you can imagine but it only gets a RE/100. Bernieeeeee!
I'm not too sure what Gundam Evolution Project implies in the context of Real Grade. It makes sense for HG in that they get more detail than they ever got and certain functional innovations but RG were already supposed to be at the Vanguard of gunpla innovation.

Not caring much about the Vigna Ghina but is the Vigna Ghina II they show on that Twitter account P-Bandai? I never liked most of the mobile suits from F91 or Crossbone that much, specially the antagonists'.

I'm not too sure what Gundam Evolution Project implies in the context of Real Grade. It makes sense for HG in that they get more detail than they ever got and certain functional innovations but RG were already supposed to be at the Vanguard of gunpla innovation.

Looking at the GEP site it looks like an initiative to test new things they've never done before no matter the grade.
Technically, I'd say all PG and to some extent most RG and MG 2.0 or 3.0 kits already served the purpose before.
Not that I am complaining that Bandai has a project that drives innovation instead of outputting models in autopilot that aren't better than something from five years before. In any case, Bandai has always been fine at innovation except for when they turn to the "cheaper" kits. I don't believe there's a healthy market for the First Grade and similar segments.

I dream of a future where models come as pieces pre-cut from the tree using some laser technology that places each cut piece in a separate numbered segment of the plastic bag.
While I'm sure it would be really complex it has several advantages:

No time spent cleaning nubs

No more ugly nubs

Not including the tree saves transportation costs and box size even though these might be negligible

Lower barrier of entry for kids, no cutting tools needed for OOB builds

Easy to recycle plastic from the trees in accurate color since it's cut in the factory

Was doing an amazon order and realized I accidentally got credit rather than cas on a return so I gave into the hg revive Quebley as an impulse buy since it’s an awesome suit... and the mg intimidates me XD hoping to start the f91 in a few weeks. Will look for a mat next time I run to town

Bought the RG Sinanju for $26 shipped from the GameStop clearance sale (it's actually $17 now but in-store only lol). Haven't built any gunpla in absolutely forever. Don't have any of the supplies any more either, and I'm gearing up for a move soon and I won't be buying a bunch of supplies right now so the Sinanju won't be built for a while regardless. Once I move I'm gonna get some basic supplies and shake the rust off with the HG Revive RX-78-2 before I dive into the Sinanju.

This is a rambling, pointless post, so here's a photo of what I've built in the past:

So I got a very late Christmas gift from family. Took me a week to get it finished. Jesus, this is my 4th RG Unicorn (after the original, Banshee Norn, and Bande Dessinee version). Bring on the Phenex, Bandai!

I do like how you can attach the beam javelin to the gatling guns/shield ala the MG Ver. Ka. I prefer this to having to hold it.

And in case anyone wondered, there's no sagging of the arms due to the weapons. I used to have the MG Ver. Ka and I can say with certainty that the RG blows it out of the water in every possible way.

Started making a Gustav Karl. I already started painting the grey parts silver... I got no actual plan for this thing so this will be interesting lol. Also grabbed some lime green paint. -shrug- might be ok lol. After getting home I had a better idea for a pearl white color but could not be bothered to go back to the store haha.

I really like the design and engineering of the kit. It's cute, simple, but there's quite a lot of detail for what it is. Easy build, but sill satisfying. I would say it's a bit more complex than a Beargguy, but appeals to the same audience.